Pre Congress Symposiums
This interactive workshop, led by So Brave – Australia’s Young Women’s Breast Cancer Charity, will explore the emerging landscape of PAC, share early findings from our national Pregnancy and Postpartum Associated Cancers Project, and equip cancer nurses with the tools to improve outcomes and experiences for these patients. Participants will gain insights from a lived-experience advocate, health professionals, and researchers, and will collaborate on practical strategies to strengthen early recognition, multidisciplinary coordination, and psychosocial support. Objectives include: increasing awareness and understanding of PAC incidence, impacts, and care needs; exploring barriers to early detection and coordinated care; strengthening nurses’ confidence in supporting patients navigating concurrent pregnancy and cancer diagnoses; and identifying opportunities for advocacy, education, and system improvement within participants’ own practice settings. Intended Outcomes: enhanced knowledge of PAC and its psychosocial dimensions; evidence-informed strategies for patient-centred communication and care planning; and increased confidence, empathy, and advocacy in elevating cancer nursing for women at critical life stages.